Scraper bucket apparatus



Dec. 8, 1936. H. A. ROE 2,063,698

I lSGRAPER BUCKET APPARATUS Filed March 2, 1934 l0 SheetsfvSheet 1 Dec. 8, 1936. H. A. ROE 2,063,698

scRAPER` BUCKET APPARATUS Filed March 2, 1934 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 i r :El i

x t g f@ I l l l Dec. 8, 1936., H. A. ROE 2,063,598

SCRAPER BUCKET APPARATUS Filed March 2, 1934 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 8, 1936. H. A. ROE 2,063,698

SCRAPER BUCKET APPARATUS Filed March 2, 1934 l0 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec; s, 193e.

H, A, RQE Y 2,063,698

SCRAPER BUCKET APPARATUS l lO Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 2, 1934 Dec; s, 193s. H, A ROE 2,063,698

SCRAPER BUCKET APPARATUS Filed March 2, 1934 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 i y 725' I I l I I JZQ ,732 o e l /v H. A. ROE

SCRAPER BUCKET APPARATUS Filed Marc'h 2, 1934 10 Sheets-Sheet '7 Dec. s, 1936.

H. A. ROE

SCRAPER BUCKET APPARATUS Filed March 2, 1934 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Dec. 8, 1936. H. A. ROE 2,063,698

SCRAPER BUCKET APPARATUS Filed March 2, 1934 l loisheets-sheet s Dec. 8, 1936. H. A. ROE

SCRAPER BUCKET APPARATUS Filed March .2, 1934 1o sheets-sheet 1o -Paieatod Doo. s, 1936 UNITE-D STATES PATENT ormoni:

SCBAPER. BUCKET APPARATUS Harry A. Roe, Gardner, Ill., assigner to Sauerman Bros., Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application Maron z, 1934, serial No. '113,150

' 2s animo. (ol. 3'1-1z9i My invention relates generally to scraper apparatus operated by draft vehicles such as, and

more particularly, tractors and used more espe-v cially in excavating, and/or for handling' earth l and involving -mechanism by which the operator i ed, whereupon, by reason of. the reaction of the wise of the une o: draft to control the digging:`

material in the scraper against the sideso'f the scraper, it automatically ceases to digfaiid` rid its load to the dumping point.

One phase of my invention and? applicable toV scrapers of the general kind abovefrzeferred to, relates tothe mechanism byfwhichv-theoperator controls the position of the'scraper, itbeing one of my objects in this connection to provide mechanism whereby the effective point of draft on the scraper may be varied in a dlrectioncrossaction or the scraper and/or eilect the dum ing of the load.

a drag scraper of s'uch construction that upon digging a load it automatically, ,by reason ofits shape, rides its load, mechanism ch while;` permitting of the controlof the posit on of the. scraper by the operator, maybe co tioned to j permit the scraperl to freely move, or oat, in operating, in thepsame unrestricted manner as it would when drawn by a' cable "or the likey as in' the case of cable-operated drag scrapers.' y

Another phase of the invention" relates to scrapers of such'constructlon that the' cutting action thereof may be varied, byforcing the rear end of the scraper downwardly, my 'object inthis connection being to provide means for'applying such a force tothe scraper, preferably variable under the control'of the'operator, this feature being of special value in the casey of Scrapers, the cutting blades of which, at least as to those portions adjacent the median line of the scraper,

extend otherwise than straight across the scraper to produce a progressively narrowing cutting ef.- fect in the forcing of the rear end of the scraper downwardly, as for examples, in the case of the scraper shown'in said patent wherein-the cutting blade in plan describes asubstantially continuous curve, or as in the case of thefgeneral V-type of bottomless scraper wherein the cutting edges diverge forwardly, as thereby the digging effort may be concentrated at af relatively narrow portion of the cutting edge adjacent the median line of the scraper, thus permitting a given 5 scraper, operated by a given tractor, to penetrate and dig in much harder materials than would be possible with other known scrapers of. equal size.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent 10 from the following description.

Referring to he accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 isfa ew in side elevation of tractordrawn drag-scraper equipment constituting one embodiment of my invention, the frontportion 15 of the tractor being omitted.

Iilgure2isaplanviewofthestructureshown in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation and partly` diagrammatic of the hydraulically-operated 2o means forming a part of the equipment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 for controlling the movements of the scraper.

Figure 4. is an enlarged fragmentary sectionall view of the valve mechanism of the hydraulically 25 'operated means above referred to.

- lIll'l'gure 5 is a section 4taken at the irregular line A l-B on Fig. 4 and viewed'in the direction of. the Another object is to provide in connection with4 arrows.-

4Figure 6 is a fragmentary elevational view, o partly sectional, showing a pump forming anv element of the hydraulically operated means and its connectiony with the engine shaft of the tractor.r

v H Figure ,'7 is a view in side elevation of another 35 form of drag-scraper equipment embodying my invention, the tractor being omitted, the scraper being shown by full linesin operating position and by dotted lines in dumpingposition,

Flgure is a section taken at the irregular line 40 8-8 on Fig. 'land viewed in the direction of the Figure 9 is a plan view=of the scraperequip-vv ment shown in Figs. '7 and 8. Figure 10 is an enlarged plan', partly sectional, view of the draft means oi' the structure shown in Flgs.'1,8and9.

Figure 11 is a view in side elevation of another construction of tractor-drawn drag-scraper f equipment'constituting another embodiment of 50 my invention, the rear portion only of the tractor being shown. y'

Figure 12 is a plan view of the construction in Fig. 11.

Figure 13 is a view in side elevation of still 1 another construction of tractor-drawn dragscraper equipment embodying my invention, the rear end only of the tractor being shown.

Figure 14 is a plan View of the construction shown in Fig. 13.

Figure 15 is a view in sidev elevation of still another construction of tractor-drawn dragscraper equipment embodying my invention, the rear end only of the tractor being shown.

Figure 16 is a plan View of the construction shown in Fig. 15, the tractor being omitted.

Figure 17 is an enlarged sectional view taken at the line l1 on Fig. 15 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 18 is a view in side elevation of still another construction of tractor-drawn dragscraper equipment embodying my invention, the .'ar end only of the tractor being shown.

Figure 19 is a section taken at the irregular line |9||9 on Fig. 18 and viewed in'the direction' of the arrows; and

Figure 20, a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken at the line 28 on Fig. 19 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

Referring to the construction shown in Figs.

1-6, inclusive, 36 represents a tractor .ofany suitable construction, such as for example as commonly provided, the tractor being provided at its rear end with a seat 3| for the operator and with -a bar 32 terminating in a clevis 33 adapted for pivotal connection with the forward end of draft means represented generally at 34 by means of which the scraper represented at 35 is operated,

The particular type of scraper shown in these figures is that disclosed in said Letters Patent,

presenting a body portion, which is curved in plan at any horizontal cross section therethrough, the lower portion of said body, represented at 36, presenting the curved cutting edge 31 sloping forwardly and downwardly from the rear portion of the scraper toward its forward ends at progressively steeper angles, and shown as provided with teeth which, however, may be omitted if desired, whereby the cutting edge has a substantially plowshare4 action causing the scraper to have a strong tendency toward digging in its travel against the material.

The upper portion 38 of the scraper and which is shown as of curved shape in plan, inclines upwardly and inwardly, the portion 38 not only serving to conne the material entering the scraper, but also as a surface against which the material may react to cause the scraper to stop digging, it being understood that the scraper has an inherent balance btweena tendency to dig into the material when empty and an opposite tendency to run out of the material when filled to a certain position.

The front ends of the scraper are shown as rigidly connected with the depending arms 39 of a yoke 48, the cross bar 4| of which extends above the scraper, the lower ends of the yoke 39 being provided with stub shafts 42 on which wheels 43, supporting the scraper at its forward endY at least during certain positions of the scraper, are journalled. A strut 44 connected at its rear end with the body of the scraper and at its forward end with a pin 45 extending through ears 46 on the cross bar 4|, serves as a brace for stiiening the scraper structure.

The draft means for the scraper areshown as comprising a lower frame formed of a bar 41 secured at its ends in heads-48 pivotally connected with the forward ends of the scraper 35,

as indicated of the one head at 48H, and forwardly converging bars 49 connected at their rear ends with the heads 48 and at their forward ends to a head 50 carrying a link 5| p-ivoted thereto by a horizontal pin 52 and containing an opening to receive a draft pin 53 carried by the clevis 33.

The draft means also comprise fluid-pressureoperated means, shown as of the hydraulic type, for controlling the digging, load-carrying, and dumping positions of the scraper. The means shown for this purpose comprise a cylinder 54 pivoted to the head 56 by a horizontal pivot pin 55, and a piston 56 slidable in the cylinder 54 and having a stem 51 connected at its rear end with the pin 65, the stem 51 preferably containing a plurality of openings 58 therethrough to selectively receive the pin 45.

The ends of the cylinder 54 are connected with pipes 59 and 60 through which operating fluid is introduced into, or allowed to exhaust from, the opposite ends of the cylinder under the control of the operator as hereinafter fully explained.

The fluid pressure mechanism also comprises a pump 6| carried by the tractor and shown as Vconnected to the engine shaft 62 of the tractor,

by a coupling device represented at 63. The pump 6|, ofV any suitable construction for producing the desired ow of actuating liquid, is connected at its inlet end 64 with a pipe 65 which opens into a tank 66 carried by the tractor. The outlet end 61 of the pump opens into a pipe 68 which leads to a control valve represented generally at 69 and to which the pipes 59 and 60 lead.

The valve device 69, likewise mounted on the tractor, comprises a stationary cylindrical casing 10 into which the pipes 59, 6|] and 68 open, the casing 1|) at one end opening into a pipe 1| which is connected with the tank 66. A by-pass 12 connects together the pipes 68 and 1| at the outlet side of the pump and contains a pressure relief valve 13 opening toward the pipe 1| and provided to prevent excessive pressure in pipe 68 and which might otherwise occur as the pump 6|' is a constant delivery pump.

The valve casing 10 contains a port 14 opening at its ends into annular grooves 15 and 16, respectively, in the inner surface of the valve casing, the port 14 communicating between its ends with an annular groove 11 in the inner surface of the casing. 'Ihe inner surface of the valve casing 10 between the grooves 16 and 11 and between the 'grooves 15 and 11 is grooved as represented at 18 and 19, respectively, the pipe 59 opening into the groove 18 and the pipe 60 into the groove 19 The valve device 69 also comprises a valve 80, shown as in the form of a piston, which is slidable in the cylinder 10 and has a stem 8| pivotally connected at its outer end, as indicated at 82, to anlever 83 the lower end of which is pivoted at 84 to a link 85, in turn, pivoted at 86 to the valve casing 10. K

The valve 80 contains midway between its ends an annular relatively wide peripheral groove 81 and at opposite sides of this groove, relatively narrow grooves 88 and 89. The valve 80 contains a longitudinally vextending bore 90 constantly open at one end to the pipe 1| and at its other end to the opposite end of the cylinder through ports 9| and 92 in the valve. 'I'he grooves 88 and 89 communicate at all times with the. bore by the valve device 69, it may be stated that the valve 80 is adaptedgto be moved into ve different operatingvpositfons (Fig. 3). When the lever 83 `the' No. 1 position-thegroove 88 will register with the'g'roove 16, y'c ejypipe :88 to the groove 88, and therefore he'pump 8| tofthe pipe 1| leading to the tank'ii; the-,pipes 59 'and 60becoming closed toreachother;and-alsofto the pipes 68 and 1| thrbylocking the piston 58 against movement infeither'-direction in the cylinder 54.

When the lever 83 is inoved to No. 2 position the pipe 88 becomes closed tov the pipe 1|, but open to the pipe 59 through the grooves 81 and 18, pipetl being' closed to pipe 68, but open to pipe 1| through the grooves 19 and 89', passages 94 and bore 90.

In this position ofthe valve 80 operating iiuidenters the cylinder 54 through the pipe 59 for forcing the piston 56 to the left in Fig.u 3, the

liquid ahead of the piston escaping through the pipe 80 and valve deviceD 59 to pipe 1|.

When the lever 83 is moved to No. 3 position' (Fig. all of the pipes 59, 50;, 68 and 1| are open to each other thereby permitting the piston 56 to freely move in the cylinder 54 in either direction.

When the lever 83 is shifted to No. 4 position,

. the pipe 58 is opened to the pipe 60 through the grooves 81` and 19'and. the pipe 59 is opened through the grooves 18 and 88, passage'93 and bore 90 to the pipe 1|. 'I'hus the actuating fluid enters the cylinder 54 through the pipe 60 for driving the piston 58 to the right in Fig. 3, the uid ahead of the piston exhausting through the pipe 59 and valve device 59 to pipe 1'| to the tank.-

When the lever 83 is moved to position No. 5 59 and 50 become closed to each other and to the pipes 5l and and the pipe 98 becomes opened to the pipe 1| thereby V'locking the piston 55 against movement in either direction and permitting the p'ump to operate without obstruction. A 'Ihe piston 56 being connected, by means of the piston rod 51, with the-scraper at the top thereof above the wheels, -it will be apparent that by setting the lever 83V in position No.` 3, the hydraulic mechanism will have no effect on the scraper and it will be free to move or iioat in the same manner as it would were the iiuid pressure mechanism' omitted, the scraperthus performing exactly as it does when used withfdragline apparatus. A

When the lever 33 is moved to position No. 2 the fluid pressure mechanism exerts a rearward force against the upper part of the forward end of the scraper thus forcing the scraper at its cutting edgeportion downwardlyV which causes the front of the scraperto rise depending uponthev position to which the piston 58 is forced in the cylinder 54. The longer this movement ofthe piston, 'the greater the inclination of the scraper and therefore the less length Aof cutting edgerpresented to the material, or the fewer of the teeth.

portions of the cutting edge when employed, this feature resulting in the concentration of the digging effort of the scraper upon a relatively narrow portion or -point of the 4cutting edge which is highly useful particularly when digging relatively hardmaterials.- Y i -V Assoon as 'the piston 55 has been' nioved'to,

the desired position, namely, to rearwardly tilt the scraper .to the desired extent, the operator throws the lever 83 to position No. 1, whereupon tion of the valve is connected with the pipe 1| and thus a closed circuit through which the liquid may be circulated is afforded.

When the lever 83 is shifted to No. 4 position, the fluid pressure mechanism exerts a force on the front end of the scraper, through the piston 59, for rotating the scraper upwardly and forwardly on the wheels 43, to effect either the degree of digging and/or the discharge of the material from the scraper either gradually or quickly, depending upon the degree to rwhich the scraper is tiltd. The scraperis held in the desired tilted position by the operator throwing the lever 83 from No. 4 position to No. 5 position which locks the piston 56 against movement in the cylinder.

Assuming the scraper to have been dumped the Y scraper is returned to digging position by the operator throwing the lever 83 Vto No. 3 position thus permitting 'the scraper to drop back by gravity, to digging position, orto No. 2 position for forcing the scraper to digging position under the control of the fluid pressure mechanism.

Manifestly the uid pressure piston and -cylinder mechanism andthe rigid bar 34 could be interchanged, viz., the uid Ypressure mechanism could form the lower couple of the draft mechaisrn and the rigid bar 34 the upper couple thereof, without altering the functioning of the draft means.

Referring to' the construction shown in Figs. 7 to l0, inclusive, the body portion 95 of the scraper shown therein and represented at 96, is of the same form as that shown in the preceding figures, the forward 4ends of the body portion 95 being rigidly connected together by an upwardly extending yoke'v91 and being equipped at their forward extremities with curved shoes 98 at which the scraper rolls in the turning Vof the scraper to and from dumping position.'

The draft means for the scraper comprise an upper bar section 99 pivotally connected at its rear end with the yoke 91 by means of a pin |00 A engaging astrut 0| and corresponding with the |02. The cylinder |01 contains a piston |09 slidable therein and mounted on a tubular stem ||0 Y slidable in a stuiling box in one end of the -cylinderV |81, Vthe stem I|0 containing a port Il! communicating with the interior of the cylinder |81 at one side of the piston |09 and with the passage |13 extending through the stem.

The :stem III at its outer endropens into a pipe l I4 which is thus in communication, through the stem l0 and the port H2, with the cylinder |01 at 'one side of the lpiston I 09, the cylinder |01 at the opposite side of the piston opening into a pipe ||5. The pipes ||4 and ||5 are connected by a valve device IIS of any suitable construction for opening andclosing communication between the the tractor preferably in a position convenient pipes I|4 and H5, the valve y||8 being located on for ready manipulation by the operator stationed on the tractor.

The draft section I 06-.also comprises a frame shown as of triangular shape and vformed of a cross member i I1, forwardly converging side members H8 and H9, and a tubular cylinder-forming portion |20 connected at one end with the cross member ||1 at a fitting |2| and toward its opposite, forward, end with the forward ends of the side members ||8 and ||9. The frame thus provided is pivotally connected, at rearwardly extending lugs |22, with the front ends of the scraper by means of pivots represented at |23, the cylinder portion |20 being telescoped with the stationary cylinder |01 along which latter the frame referred to is slidable. The rear end of the piston stem ||0 is rigidly connected with the frame at the fitting |2| whereby the frame moves responsive to the movements of the piston in the cylinder |01. l

As will be understood from the foregoing description,` the piston |09 is restrained against movement in the cylinder |01 when the valve ||6 is closed but is free to move therein when this valve is opened.

Assuming the scr-aper to be in the digging position shown by the full lines in Fig. 7, the operator to permit the scraper to dig and load, closes the valve H6 which is continued in closed position until the load is to be dumped, whereupon the operator opens the valve ||6 thus freeing the piston |69 for movement in the cylinder |01 which results in the concentrating of the draft force against the scraper at the connection between the bar 99 and the upper end of the scraper, thus causing the scraper to turn upwardly at its rear end on the shoes 98 to the dotted position shown in Fig. '1 for dumping the load, it being understood that the scraper may be stopped in its turning movement at any intermediate position by closing the valve ||6 to regulate the speed at which the load is dumped, or to hold the bucket in a load-carrying position intermediate between digging and dumping positions.

The scraper is returned to digging position by backing up the tractor. In this operation the valve H6 would be open and the scraper would roll back on its curved shoes to the digging position shown by the full lines in Fig. '1, whereupon the valve ||6 would again be closed to hold the scraper in position for digging another load.

Referring to the construction shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the body portion |24 of the scraper shown therein and represented at |25, is of the same form as that `shown in Figs. 1-6, inclusive, the forward ends being rigidly connected together by a yoke |26 and having wheels |21 as shown and described of the construction shown in Figs. l to\6.

The draft means for the scraper |25 comprises a lower frame section |28, like the lower frame section 34 of Figs. 1 6, inclusive, pivotally connected at its forward end to the draft bar 32 of the tractor, as in the case of the construction of these figures, and pivetally connected at its rear end with the iront'ends of the scraper at studs thereon one of which is represented at |282.

The draft means also comprise an upper section shown as in the form of a lcable |29 connected at its rear end with the upper cross bar |30 of the yoke |26, the forward-end of the cable |29 being wound upon a drum |3| journalled on the tractor and shown as operated through the medium of gears |32 and |33 connected, respectively, with the drum and with an operating shaft |34 which, by way of example may be controllably driven (in a manner not shown) from any suitable source of power, as for example the engine of the tractor.

Aswill be understood, the draft force for digging is exerted on the scraper |25 through the draft section |28, the cable |29 being maintained in suciently slack condition as not to interfere with the floating action of the scraper in digging when such action is desired, or drawn upon to tilt the rear end of the scraper upwardly to vary the degree of digging. The load is dumped by winding the cable |29 on the drum |32 thusI turning the scraper at its rear end upwardly on the wheels |21 to the desired position of dumping, the scraper being returned to digging position by slackening the cable |29.

Referring to Figs. 13 and 14, the scraper shown thereinvand represented at |35 is of the same construction as that shown in Figs. 1-6, inclusive, except for. the substitution of shoes |36 for the wheels 63.

In this construction the draft means for the scraper are shown as in the form'of chains |31 and |38, these chains being connected at their rear upper ends with clevises |39 and |40, respectively, shown as pivoted on the upper cross bar of the yoke |4| of the scraper and at their lower rear ends to clevises |42 and |43, respectively, pivoted to the forward ends of the scraper.

The chains |31 and |38 extend at their intermediate portions over sheaves |44 and |45 secured to a shaft |46 journalled on the rear end of the tractor, the upper and lower reaches ofv the chains |31 and |33 being connected together, respectively, by cross bars |41 and |48.

The shaft |46 is shown as equipped with a worm wheel |49 meshing with a worm |50 carried by a: shaft |5| journalled on the tractor and having a hand wheel |52 for actuating it.

As will be understood, the cable draft means described may be manipulated to a position in which the scraper is free to function in digging without any restraint from the upper reaches of the chains, or to a position for varying the digging action, but when it is desired to dump the load the operator, by actuating the drive mechanism for the sheaves |44 and |45 to draw on the upper reaches ofthe chain and pay out the lower reaches thereof, may turn the scraper |35 upwardly at its rear end to dumping position in which operation the scraper turns on the shoes |36. The scraper may be restored to digging position by. reversing the sheave-actuating mechanism to permit the scraper to turn downwardly to digging position.

Referring to Figs. 15 and 16, the body portion |53 of the scraper shown therein and represented at |54, is of the same form as that shown in Figs. 1-6, inclusive, the forward ends thereof being connected with plates |55 equipped at their lower portions with curved shoes |56. The draft means for the scraper comprises an upper draft section in the form of a frame |51 comprising a 'T-shaped member |58, the rear cross bar portion |59 of which is positioned between the upper ends of the plates |55 on which this frame is pivoted at its end portions which extend through the plates |55 and have units |60 screwed thereon.

The frame |51 also comprises forwardly converging brace bars |6| through the rear deflected ends of which the journalling ends of the cross bar |59 extend, these bars being rigidly connected with the straight bar portion |62 of the frame |58 which is of H-shape in cross section affording the upper and lower flanges |63 and |64, the forward end of the bar portion |62 terminating in an ear v|65 pivoted at |66 to one end of a link |61 the opposite end of which is pvotally connected with the draft bar 32 of the tractor. 1

The bar portion |62 is provided between its ends with stationary stop blocks one of which is shown at |68, secured in the channels of this bar, and forward of the stops |68 with a pivoted dog |69. The dog |69 is shown as formed of a rod bent to provide a central portion |19, horizontal journalling portions |1| and depending portions |12 having inturned ends |13 provided with rollers |14 which extend into the channels of the bar |62, the depending portions |12 extending forwardly at an acute angle to the portion |10 which latter extends along the upper surface of the bar |62 and is connected at its forward cnd with an Iactuating cable |15 shown as hung over the rear end of the tractor.

'Ihe dog |69 is journalled at its portions |1| in journal boxes |16 secured to the bar |62 whichA latter is shown as containing a double series of openings 11 therethrough to permit of the securing of the boxes at different positions along the bar |62.

The draft means also comprise a lower section |18 shown as formed of a pair of forwardly converging bars |19 pivotally connected at ytheir rear ends with the plates |55, as represented at |89, and at their forward ends withv a block |8|. "The block |8| is so shaped as to straddle both flanges |64 of the bar |62, the upper portions of the block and represented at |82 extending -into a position to engage the rollers |14 in the normal position of the dog |69, as shown.

To perform the digging and load carrying operations the parts would be in the positions as shown in the drawings, in' which position the dog |69 engages the rear faces of the portions |82 of .the block |'8|, thus causing the draft force exerted by-the tractor to be applied to the scraper through the bar |62. to the dog |69, thence to the block |8| and through the lower draft section |18 to the scraper.

To dump the load the operator swings the dog |69 upwardly out of engagement with the block |8| whereupon the draft force is transferred from the lower portion of the scraper through the lower draft section |18, to the upper portion of the scraper through the upper draft section |51.

Upon restoring the scraper to digging position, after dumping the load, by backing up the tractor, the dog |69 will fall into place behind the block |8| tofrecondition the scraper for digging another load.

Referring to Figs. 18, 19 and 20, the body portion of the scraper shown therein and represented at |88 is of the same form as that shown in Figs. 1-6, iniclusive, the forward ends oif the body portion having side plates |84 and curved shoes |86 and being 4connected together by a yoke |86 the cross' piece |81 of which, shown as of H- shape in cross section, extends across the top of the bodyportion |83. The dependingarms |88 of the yoke |86 extend at the inner surfaces vof the body portion |83 and, together with the forward ends of the body portion and plates |84,

are slotted as indicated at 89.

The draft means for the scraper' comprise a `pair dit forwardly converging bars |90 connected equipment Vary the elevation at on the scraper.

Cooperating with the cross bar |92 are means,

shown as of the uid pressure operated type, for

effecting the adjustment of the cross ,bar |92 in the slots |89, operative, during the travel of the tractor, for controlling the digging; load carrying,

and dumping positions of the scraperithese means comprising a pair of upwardly extending spaced apart cylinders .|93 stationarily mounted on the cross member |81 of the yoke' |86, and pistons, one only of which is shown at |94, slidable in these cylinders and connected at their stems |95 with the cross bar |92.

Means are provided for selectively introducing operating fluid, preferably liquid, under pressure into the ends of the cylinders |93. and exhausting it therefrom to either force the pistons |94 up or down and lock them in their positions of adjustment. The particular means shown for this purpose are ofthe sameconstruction as those shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, for

controlling the actuation of the piston 56 though, as will be understood, the above referred to No. 3 position of the valvemechanism is functionless in this particular scraper-tractor arrangement. Accordingly, the same numerals are applied to the parts of the pistonQ-controlling mechanismin Fig. 18 as are applied to the corresponding parts in Figs. 3 and 5.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that whenl the lever 83 is shifted to No. 2 position the pistons |94, together with the cross bar |92, will be raised in the slots |89, the liquid above the pistons |94 exhausting back to the tank 66, and by then shifting the` lever 83 to No. 1 position the pistons |94, to-

gether with the cross bar |92,'wi11 be locked against movement; and that by shifting the` lever 83 to No. 4 position the pistons' |94, together with the cross rod |92, will ybellowel'ed in the slots |89, the liquid below the i pistons exhausting back to the tank 66, these pistons together with the cross bar, being locked in their position of adjustment by shifting the leverl 88 to the No. 5 position.

The slots |89 are so located that in the low-4l ered position of the cross bar |92 the draft on the scraper will permit'it to function to dig and thereafter ride its load asfreely as in equipment involving a scraper of the formshown and voperated by a drag line as commonly provided;

that when the cross bar 1s moved upwardly in v the slots |98 the degree of digging may be varied,

and that when the cross bar is moved to the'upper portions of these slots as described, the

scraper will be tilted on the shoes |85 upwardly in adjusted position between digging orfreely' oating and dumping positions. It is therefore obvious that by tilting the rear portion of the bucket upwardly out of digging position but not enough to dump the load, the bucket may be held and drawn along in a lposition in which the weight of the bucket and a portion of the weight of the load -will be carried on said arcuate members as on a fulcrum.

while r have inustratea and described certainV forms of embodiment of my invention and as I do not wish to be understood as intending to limit it thereto as the invention may be embodied in other forms and utilized with scrapers of other shapes and constructions.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In combination, a draft vehicle, a bottomless scraper bucket of a form adapting the bucket to dig, and also to stop digging, by the same draft force coupled with the reactive force Vdue to resistance of the material into which the bucket is drawn, means connecting said bucket with the vehicle pivoted to said bucket upon a horizontal axis closely adjacent the ground and to the front end of the bucket, and means to turn the bucket about a horizontal axis passing through a ground-engaging portion of the bucket.

2. In combination, a draft vehicle, a bottomless scraper bucket of a form adapting the bucket to dig, and also to stop digging, by the same draft force coupled with the reactive force due to resistance of the material into which the bucket is drawn, means connecting said bucket with the vehicle pivotally connected to the bucket on a horizontal axis closely adjacent the ground and the front end of the bucket and permitting said bucket to be turned on the ground in a vertical plane about an axis passing through a ground-engaging portion of the bucket, and means for varying the couple between the draft force and said reactive force,

for the purpose set forth.

3. In combination, a ldraft vehicle, a scraper bucket supported solely by the ground, having a lower cutting edge so shaped that in the turning of the bucket downwardly at itslrear portion' a progressively narrowing cutting effect is produced, draft means connecting the bucket with the vehicle permitting said bucket to be turned on the ground in a vertical plane, and means operative to exert a force against the bucket for turning it downwardly at its rear portion relative to the draft means.

4. In combination, a` draft vehicle, a scraper bucket supported solely by the ground, having a lower rearwardly curving cutting edge, draft means connecting thebucket with the vehicle permitting said bucket to be turned on the ground in a vertical plane, and means operative to exert a force against the bucket for turning it downwardly at its rear portion relative to the draft means.

5. In combination, a draft vehicle, a scraper bucket supported solely by the ground, having a lower cutting edge so shaped that in the turning of the bucket downwardly at its rear portion a progressively narrowing cutting effect is produced, draft means connecting the bucket with the vehicle permitting said bucket to be turned on the ground in a vertical plane, and means operative to exert a force against the bucket for either turning it downwardly at its rear portion or tilting it upwardly at its rear portion relative to the draft means.

6. In combination, a draft vehicle, a scraper bucket supported solely by the ground, having a lower cutting edge so shaped that in the turning of the bucket downwardly at its rear portion a progressively narrowing cutting effect is produced, draft means connecting the bucket with the vehicle permitting said bucket to be turned on the ground in a vertical plane, and means engaging the upper portion of said bucket operative to turn the bucket downwardly at its rear portion relative to the draft means.

7. In combination, a draft vehicle, a scraper bucket, draft means connecting said bucket with said vehicle and permitting said bucket to be turned on the ground in a vertical plane, said draft means comprising draft elements connected at diierent elevations to said bucket, one of said elements being formed of relativeli7 lengthwise movable sections and means controlling the adjustment of said sections relative to each other and conditionable to free said sections for free relative lengthwise movement, for the purpose set forth.

8. In combination, a draft vehicle, a scraper bucket, draft means connecting said bucket with said vehicle and permitting said bucket to be turned on the ground in a vertical plane, said draft means comprising draft elements connected at different elevations to said bucket, the upper one of said elements being formed of relatively lengthwise movable sections and fluid pressure means controlling the adjustment of said sections relative to each other and conditionable to free said sections for free relative lengthwise movement, for the purpose set forth.

9. In combination, a 'draft vehicle, a scraper bucket, draft means connecting said bucket with said vehicle and permitting said bucket to be turned on the ground in a vertical plane, said draft means comprising draft elements connected at different elevations to said bucket, the upper one of said elements being formed of relatively lengthwise movable sections and hydraulic means controlling the adjustment of said sections relative to each other and conditionable to free said sections for free relative lengthwise movement, for the purpose set forth.

10. In combination, a draft vehicle, a scraper bucket, draft means connecting said bucket with said vehicle and permitting said bucket to be turned on the ground in a vertical plane, said draft mea'ns comprising draft elements connected at different elevations to said bucket, the upper one of said elements being formed of relatively lengthwise movable sections and means for adjusting said sections relative to each other'and adapted to be conditioned for holding said sections in adjusted position and for permitting free relative movement of said sections.

l1. In combination, a draft vehicle, a scraper bucket, draft means connecting said bucket with said vehicle and permitting said bucket to be turned on the ground in a vertical plane, said draft means comprising draft elements connected vat different elevations to said bucket, the upper one of said elements being formed of relatively lengthwise movable sections and iluid pressure means for adjusting said sections relative to each other and adapted to be conditioned for holding said sections in adjusted position and for permitting frere relative movement of said sections.

12. In combination, a draft vehicle, a scraper bucket, draft means connecting said bucket with said vehicle and permitting said bucket to be turned on the ground in a vertical plane, said draft means comprising draft elements connected at different elevations to said bucket, the upper one of said elements being formed of relatively lengthwise movable sections and hydraulic means sections in adjusted position-and for permitting free relative movement of said sections.

13. In combination, a draft-vehicle, a scraper bucket having a lower cutting edge so shaped that in the turning of the bucket downwardly at its rear portion a progressively narrowing cutting effect is produced, draft means for the bucket perr mitting said bucket to be turned on-the ground in a vertical plane, said draft means comprising draft elements connected at different elevations to said bucket, the upper one of said draft elements being formed of relatively lengthwise movable sections and means controlling the adjustment of said sections relative to each other and conditionable to permit free relative'lengthwise movement of said sections, for the purpose set forth.

14. In combination, a draft vehicle, a scraper bucket having a lower 'cutting edge so shaped that in the turning of the bucket downwardly atv its rear portion a progressively narrowing cutting effect is produced, draft means for the bucket permitting said bucket to be turned on the ground in a vertical plane, said draft means comprising draft elements connected at different elevations that in the turning of the bucket downwardly at its rear portion a progressively narrowing cuttingable sections and means for adjusting said sections relative .to each' other and adapted to bev bucket having a lower cutting edge so shaped4 that in the turning of the bucket downwardly at eect is produced, draft means for the bucket permitting said bucket to be turned on the ground in a-vertical plane, said draft means comprising draft elements connected at different elevations to said bucket, the upper one of said draft elements being formed of relatively lengthwise movconditioned for holding said sections in adjusted position and for permitting free relative movement or said sections.

16. In combination, a draft vehicle, a scraper its rear portion a progressively narrowing cutting effect is produced, draftv means for the bucket,

'permitting said bucket to be turned on the ground in a vertical plane, said draft means comprising draft elements connected at different elevations to said bucket, the upper one -of said draft elements being formed of relatively lengthwise movable sections, and means operable to cause the upper one of said draft elements to exert force on said bucket either to depress the rear portion of said bucket or tilt the bucket forwardly at its rear portion and conditionable to free said sections for free relative lengthwise movement, for the purpose set forth. l

17. In combination, a draft vehicle, a scraper bucket vhaving a lower cutting edge so shaped that in the turning of the bucket vdownwardly at its rear portion 'a progressively narrowing cutting eifectis produced, draft means for the bucket permitting said bucket to be turned on the ground in a vertical plane, said draft means comprising draft elements connected at different elevations to said bucket,'the upper one of said draft elements being formed of relatively lengthwise mov.- able sections, and means operable to cause the upper one of said draft elements to exert force o'n said bucket either to depress the rear portiony of said bucket or tilt the bucket forwardly at its rear portion and conditionable for holding said sections in adjusted position and also to free said sections for free relative lengthwise movement.

18. In combination, a draft vehicle, a scraper bucket having a lower cutting edge so shaped that in the turning of the bucket downwardly at its rear' portion a progressivelynarrowing cutting effectis produced, draft means for the bucket permitting said bucket to be turned on the ground in a vertical plane, said draft means comprising draft elements connected at different elevations to said bucket, the upper one-of said draft elements being formed of relatively lengthwise movable sections, and fluid-pressure means operable to cause the upper one of said draft elements to exert force on saidbucket either to depress the' rear portion of said bucket or tilt the bucket forwardly at its rear portion and conditionable for holding said sections in adjusted position Aand also to free said sections for free relative lengthwise movement.

19. In combination, a draft vehicle, a scraper bucket having a lower cutting edge so shaped that in the turning of the bucket downwardly at its rear portion a progressively narrowing cutting Y effect is produced, draft means for the bucket permitting said bucket to be turned on the ground in a vertical plane said draft means comprising draft elements connected at different elevations to said bucket, the upper one of said draft elewardly at its rear portion and conditionable to free said sections for free relative lengthwise movement, for the purpose set forth.

20. In combination, a draft vehicle, a scraper bucket having a lower cutting edge so shaped that in the turning -of the bucket downwardly at its rearA portion a progressively narrowing cutting effect is produced,rdraft means for the bucket permitting said bucket to be turned on the ground.-v

in a vertical plane, said draft means comprising draft elements connected at different elevations to said bucket,-the upper one of said draft elements being formed of relatively lengthwise movable sections, and hydraulic means operable to cause the upper one of said draft elements to exert vforce on said bucket either to depress the rear portion of said bucket or tilt the bucket forwardly `at its rear portion and conditionable to free said sections for free relative lengthwise movement, for the purpose set forth,

21. In combination, a draft vehicle, a bottomless scraper bucket of a form adapting the bucket to dig, and also to stop digging, by the same draft force coupled with the reactive force due to resistance of the material into which the bucket is drawn, means connecting said bucket with the vehicle pivotally connected to the bucket on a horizontal axis closely adjacent the ground and the front endv of the bucket and permitting said bucket to be turned on the ground in a vertical plane about an axis passing through a groundengaging portion of the bucket, and means controllable from the vehicle whereby the bucket may be caused'to turn in said plane.

' 22. In combination, a draft vehicle, a bottomless scraper bucket of a form adapting the bucket to dig, and also to stopdigging, by the same draft force coupled with the reactive force due to resistance ofthe material into which the bucket is drawn, means connecting said bucket with the vehicle pivotally connected to the bucket on a horizontal axis closely adjacent the ground and the front end of the bucket and permitting saidbucket to be turned on the ground in a vertical: plane about an axis passing through a ground-i engaging portion of the bucket, and means where by the bucket during forward movement may b'e caused to turn in said plane. if 23. In combination, a draft vehicle, a bottomless scraper bucket having a wall shaped to underlie a portion of its load, means connecting said bucket with said vehicle and permitting said bucket to be turned on its forward portion as a fulcrum in a vertical plane on the ground, dig preventing means carried by said forward portion to act as said fulcrum and means whereby the bucket in loaded condition may be transported in a position in which the weight of the bucket and a portion of the weight of the load is carried on said fulcrum at the front of the bucket in the travelling of the bucket.

24. In combination, a draft vehicle, a bottomless scraper bucket having a, Wall shaped to underlie a portion of its load having laterally widened arcuate members at its forward end, means connecting said bucket with said vehicle and permitting said bucket to be turned on said members as a fulcrum in a vertical plane on the ground, and means whereby the bucket in loaded condition may be transported in a position in which the weight of the bucket and a portion of the weight of the load is carried as a fulcrum on said members in the travel of the bucket.

25. In combination, a draft vehicle, a scraper bucket, draft means for the bucket permitting said bucket to be turned on the ground in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis passing through.

a ground-engaging portion of the bucket, and means operative to exert a force against the bucket for forcing it downwardly at its rear portion.

26. The combination of a scraper having a cutting edge extending simultaneously forwardly and laterally of, and in opposite directions from, the median line of the bucket, means to prevent the forward extremities of the cutting edge from entering the ground, and draft means comprising means to vary and control the vertical angular position of said bucket while the draft means in operating for the purpose set forth.

27. The combination of a scraper bucket having a cutting edge extending simultaneously forwardly and laterally of, and in opposite directions from, the median line of the bucket, laterally widened arcuate elements at the forward extremities of the cutting edge to support the bucket on the ground, draft-means pivoted to the bucket at points closely adjacent the cutting edge, and control means operable to turn the bucket upon said elements between filling and dumping positions while said draft-means is operating.

28. In a device of the class described, in cornbination: a scraper bucket comprising a cutting edge extending continuously from the outer, forward portions of the bucket to a common point at the rear thereof, and ground-engaging digpreventing elements at said outer forward portions; and draft means comprising means to vary and control the vertical angular position of said cutting edge rearward of said elements while said draft-means is operating.

HARRY A. ROE, 

